President Bush turns journalism dean?
Some journalism deans I know had to cringe when they read the report of George Bush having staff take refresher courses in ethics. That was a clumsy effort at damage control for something the administration has no intention of fostering, especially as one can’t “refresh” something that does not exist.
In higher education, we have the perfect resource for those damage control needs: The public relations majors who, in receiving journalism degrees, demonstrate that ethics are as much a joke in journalism education as in the Bush administration.
George Beres
Eugene
 
Anti-abortionists tired of explaining injustice
In response to Jocelyn Warren, who wrote the letter in regard to an Emerald insert about abortion (“Advertising supplement spreads tired untruths,” ODE Nov. 9): You might be correct; we probably should stop all this talk about abortion causing cancer and any number of other horrific diseases. What we need is the straight and honest truth. Abortion is the ending of an unborn life. Most societies call that murder, and in this case it’s completely unjustified – as in what did the unborn child do to deserve it?
I believe that anti-abortionists are just tired of trying to explain that it’s wrong, and have started searching for any means possible to try to persuade those that are selfishly choosing murder as a means to prevent pregnancy. Warren jabs at the insert in the Emerald, and refers to it as anti-choice. Not all, but most pregnancies started off as a choice. That being to have sex. One can argue all they want that we shouldn’t want parents with children they don’t want. Hard to go against that, but that’s why there is this program called adoption. As a man I will not try to fight your or any other woman’s right to choice, but abortion is not about choice, it’s about life.
Shawn D. Garrett
University Senior
 
U.S. shouldn’t compromise citizen, prisoner rights
The core of American values has always been the inalienable rights of Mankind. This philosophy has set us apart and held us as a model for other nations. Since the Geneva Convention, America has exercised its founding philosophy by practicing humane treatment of prisoners. Every year the State Department issues a report condemning other nations of violating international treaties that forbid “cruel, inhuman and degrading” treatment of prisoners. Now, the President and Vice President are calling for the exemption of the U.S. from that philosophy, allowing for torture of foreign nationals by the CIA. Ostensibly this is to help us in a terror emergency, but how do you define an “emergency,” and who decides if the detainee is guilty?
In the last few years, we’ve seen secret prisons around the world where suspected terrorists “disappear” without civil oversight, Red Cross registry, or any representation at all. Prisoners have been tortured and killed with little accountability. Even at home, under the guise of homeland defense, we are searched every time we travel by air; our Web browsing, e-mail, and library rentals can be secretly inspected; our phones can be tapped without justification; and, we may even have to sign a “loyalty oath” just to attend a political rally where questions to candidates are pre-approved.
Enough is enough! American policies must uphold the basic rights of Mankind!
Jason A. Kilgore
Junction City